As you may be aware, the Hong Kong Marine Department has issued Merchant Shipping Information Note No. 29/2005 on 27 July 2005, concerning subject matter. We consider that its points are as follows, for further details refer to the original copy of the Information Note attached.

Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Information Note No. 29/2005
"Maintenance of Shipboard Passenger Lifts"

Summary:
This Note draws the attention of the shipping industry the importance of proper maintenance and regular checks on passenger lifts installed on board ships.

1. Recently there were cases of fatal and serious shipboard accidents associated with passenger lifts which revealed the lack of proper maintenance and regular checks on passenger lifts on board ships.
2. Although the SOLAS Convention has no specific provisions for passenger lifts installed onboard ships, ----- (The rest is omitted.)
3. Owners, managers and operators of Hong Kong registered ships installed with passenger lifts are hereby reminded that appropriate procedures should be established and incorporated in the ship's maintenance plan under the SMS to ensure the passenger lifts are properly maintained and regularly inspected and tested. In drawing up the maintenance and inspection/testing procedures, reference should be made to recommendations from the lift manufacturer or relevant classification society survey requirements. It should be also be noted that since the maintenance, detailed examination and testing of shipboard passenger lift installations require expertise not normally possessed by shipboard staff, as such they should be performed by competent service personnel approved or recognized by the lift manufacturer.
4. Auditor conducting SMC audit on a Hong Kong registered ship installed with passenger lift is required to ensure that the maintenance and inspection/testing procedures mentioned in paragraph 3 above are incorporated in the ship's SMS, and are being properly implemented on board.

(To be continued)